(AIM log between Painted Moose's Kimya and Keantha's Nkosanzana (Zana))
It was no secret that Kimya was mute, and yet, he found understanding with his peers. In the days since he’d begun working as a healer, Kimya had never felt ostracized. He went to work every day with a soft smile, even around the females, no matter how much they frightened him. To think that he had someplace to belong, his brother, and Zana…life couldn’t possibly get any better than this.
The slim blue lion padded his way down to the ruins for a much needed rest in the shade. Kimya was still having issues adjusting to the sun’s intensity, but after a little cat nap, he knew he’d be ready to go again in no time. Still…where was Zana? His bright eyes looked around him, little cupped ears flipping back on his head.
It wouldn't be hard to spot his blindingly white mate where she was laying near the ruins a half little smile on her muzzle and a distant look in her eyes. She was watching some of the young cubs as they tumbled about after their nanny's all big paws and no grace yet.
She was happier than she could ever remember being in her life. She had a home where her gifts where made welcome, a loving mate that never failed to show her how much she meant to him and yet...something was still missing. Something that left an ache in her heart and a stain on her mind.
Kimya spotted his ever lovely mate not far from where he was, and with a purposeful trot, he found himself going to her side. There was something off about her today, though. The way her eyes looked…it worried him. Where was the playful, loving spark that he was so used to?
With carefully quiet steps, Kimya approached Zana, and nuzzled her cheek as he sat down, hoping not to startle her too badly. Still, the worried look in his eyes was clear. If something was bothering her, he wanted to know, whatever it may be.
"Hmm? Oh hello love, sorry I didn't hear you coming." She sat up to return his nuzzle with a sweet smile. "You do ok with the healings today?" They had learned the art of having a conversation when only one could speak. She had learned to read his body language and the look in his eyes.
Kimya nodded his head, shrugging his shoulders with a little sigh. Some of the Guards had trained a little too roughly last night, so he had to deal with that upon everything else. Still, that was beyond the point. His azure eyes drifted out to what captivated his mate so intensely, and saw…cubs?
He looked back at her questioningly. Had they done something amusing?
She gave a faint sad smile, “They are adorable aren't they? I have always loved cubs." She sighed as she stretched out on her stomach again a longing look on her face. "When I was little I wanted a huge family, lots and lots of cubs, then I found out about the curse and now..." She heaved a sigh. “now I just don't know."
Kimya lay down as well, his head sagging to the side. He had to admit, they were cute. Especially the little female cub with her face covered in dirt. Her smile melted his heart. Still, he felt awful every time he saw cubs because he knew about that curse, and what it did to Zana. The fear she felt, the heart ache…
He didn’t move, didn’t respond to her; just looked out at the cubs with his thinking face. The chances that anything would happen to their cubs was slim, he was sure, so there was hope…but that would mean…with Zana…His cheeks flushed.
She tilted her head with a smile "what are you blushing about pretty boy?" She chuckled leaning over to bite playfully at his thick mane. She loved him so! He completed her in a way she never thought she would be. Suddenly she could understand why her parents stayed together no matter the pain and the heartache they went through.
Kimya pushed a paw into her shoulder playfully, rolling over on his back to nom at her paws. He stuck his tongue out before grinning, then leaning up to lick her cheek. It didn’t matter how much it shocked him, or set his nerves on fire, because at that moment he realized he would do anything to keep the smile on her face. With that in mind, Kimya nodded over to the cubs, and looked up at Zana with a questioning look. Do you want some? Cubs, do you want cubs? If only he was able to ask the question aloud.
Laughing and playfully trying to fend him off, it took her a few moments to realize what he was asking. She blinked slowly looking between him and the cubs. Did she want them? More than life itself! She took a deep breath, " It is a very big risk Kimya...they could be born wrong like some of my siblings. Mom implied there was more than one curse on our family."
And there it was. The only thing that was standing between his mate, and what she truly desired. It made his heart feel hollow. His eyes softened, motioning for her to go on. He wanted to know more. Kimya wanted to know everything about whatever curse plagued her like this, and if there was anything to be done to stop it. A curse was a curse, but that didn’t mean that it couldn’t be broken.
She sighed as she laid her head on his front legs to let him groom her. "I don't know it all, that is actually how we ended up here. I was supposed to have family here that could see things that the average eye couldn't. I hoped my Aunt could tell me, but she isn't here."
Kimya ran his tongue over her mane, picking out pieces of sand and dirt with his teeth so that the hidden shine could come through. It was hard…knowing the entire reason they came here was for nothing, but, as he reminded her when he playfully nipped her ear, it wasn’t. Not really. They had learned so much already, and it wasn’t hopeless, nothing was. Ever since his first meeting with Zana, his optimism had begun to soar through the roof.
She chuckled at the n**, retaliating with her own playfully swipe "Watch it buster, I can take you." She butted her head against his jaw rather roughly, but not enough to actually hurt. She sighed then looking back at the little ones, " I want to..more than I can say. I want a family with you. To watch your brother go insane being a doting uncle, to teach our children everything we know..."
He rolled his eyes, and took her head butt with stride, nuzzling up against her instead of continuing the play. A sharp, wheezy chuckle escaped his throat before he realized it. Runako would go insane in a week! Then again, maybe his brother could teach the cubs all the things that Kimya knew he would be too scared to try.
Kimya craned his head around hers to see the youngsters at it once again. He wanted that. Not before, but now…he couldn’t imagine not wanting them.
She wiggled around to sprawl on her back looking at him upside down with a playful smile as she batted at his ears. " So..we are decided then?" She had always feared this day, having to explain to a mate that there was a change their children could be born wrong...but it hadn't been what she feared. With Kimya and Runako by her side, they could get through anything!
Kimya tilted his head to look at his glorious mate, and nodded his head eagerly. This was it; his life was coming full circle, because of one lioness that never really grew up. He leaned down, looking like he was about to pounce her, but instead licked her cheek and bounded away, down into the sand with a grin.
"OOO I am gonna get you!" She squealed as she leapt to her feet, flinging sand in all directions as she took off after her mate, her heart lighter than it had been just moments before. They had faced death together; surely facing life together wouldn't be nearly as big a challenge.
(WC: 1,407)
